Wouter & Ymke 
Welcome to the whimsical world of Doctor Rat, a game that combines strategy, teamwork, and a touch of humor. In this imaginative setting, players embark on a mission to help the rat population adopt a healthier lifestyle. Guided by Doctor Rat, the players must navigate through a diet plan filled with both mandatory and prohibited food items, learning through trial and error. This cooperative adventure encourages players to work together to discover the right balance in their diet.
👥 2-7 players, ages 10+
⌛ Playing time: 30 minutes
📝 Designer: Johannes Krenner
🎨 Artwork: Simon Douchy
🏢 Publisher: Blue Orange Games (review copy provided)
Doctor Rat is a cooperative game where players collaborate to figure out the best diet for their rat characters. One player takes on the role of Doctor Rat, who remains hidden behind a screen, creating dietary plans featuring specific food types, quantities, and colors. The players, representing two or three groups of rats, receive cards from Doctor Rat. They must then decide how to distribute these cards among the groups, with Doctor Rat confirming if the choices align with the dietary requirements.
🐀 Mistakes are part of the learning curve, but three errors in one group or a mistake in the final round mean the game is lost. Doctor Rat has tools at his disposal, like medications to remove mistakes and tokens to guide the rats. As players become more adept, the game can increase in complexity with additional dietary rules and alternating mandatory food items, enhancing the challenge.
Doctor Rat, designed by Johannes Krenner and published by Blue Orange Games, is a cooperative deduction game suitable for 2-7 players aged 10 and up. Simon Douchy’s artwork is both thematic and child-friendly, while the clear rulebook makes the game easy to teach and accessible to all, including non-gamers.
📦 A special aspect of Doctor Rat is its use of the game box as a screen, thanks to a front-opening design. The insert holds the diets and card selections in an organized manner, aiding gameplay. The game’s success hinges on Doctor Rat’s ability to guide players through their thought processes, with a hint of luck in the card draws. Tools are available to manage less favorable draws, ensuring a balanced experience.
🗣️ High player interaction is vital, as discussion and reasoning are key to figuring out the diets. This element allows Doctor Rat to gain insights and provide guidance. The number of players doesn’t affect the number of rat groups but does influence the game’s difficulty. While there might be some downtime, especially for inexperienced Doctor Rats, the game generally progresses swiftly, lasting about 30 minutes.
👪 Doctor Rat is particularly cooperative, making it suitable for younger audiences with adult or older child guidance, especially in the role of Doctor Rat. Each game starts with guesswork, challenging players to adapt their strategies. Despite some complexities, children enjoy the responsibility of playing Doctor Rat, even if it means occasional pauses in play. The game is highly recommended for families or as an introduction to deduction games.
📝 Disclaimer: Please note that we received a review copy of Doctor Rat from the publisher, Blue Orange Games.
